During the run of the Cord 812 in 1937, the original pair of Cord sedans were joined by two Custom models, built on a wheelbase extended seven inches for a total span of 132 inches. All the additional length went into the rear compartment, much improving passenger legroom. Body sheet metal was adjusted appropriately, with the lines raised slightly to balance out the equal length, including deeper body sills, a shallower rear door fender cut, and an eighth louver added to the nose. Cord sales had already begun to wane by the time of the 1937 model’s introduction, and so the expensive Custom series sold in particularly small numbers.

The Custom Beverly offered here has had its ownership history traced back to 1968, when it was acquired by longtime collector Edmund Burchman of Los Alamitos, California. Mr. Burchman retained the car for over a quarter of a century. It was later acquired by Jerald Good, an Indiana-based hotelier remembered for his operation of the Auburn Inn, the elegant headquarters to enthusiasts during the Auburn Cord Deusenberg Club National Reunion for many years. By this time the car is believed to have been repowered by the present engine, a correct non-supercharged unit, number FB 2033, and fitted with a replacement body number tag, C 105 228, versus the original number of C 105 229, as recorded in ACD Club historian Ron Irwin’s notes—likely a misstamping. Nonetheless it retained its original body and numbers-matching front stub frame.

In Mr. Good’s ownership the Cord was fully restored by the noted LaVine Restorations of Nappanee, Indiana, one of the best-known specialists in the Cord 810 and 812, to their usual extremely high standards of fit and finish. It was updated with the addition of supercharger-style side exhausts, a popular period modification, and had the cowl vents in the top of the hood removed, meeting Mr. Good’s wishes. The body was finished in Geneva Blue, with a correct, properly tailored pleated interior in matching wool broadcloth.

A longtime admirer of Cord designer Gordon Buehrig, Terence E. Adderley eventually acquired examples of nearly all the 810 and 812 body styles, purchasing this Custom Beverly for his collection in 2016. Displayed in the collection for the last eight years, it remains in superb cosmetic order, testament to the quality of the workmanship in its restoration.